Oncology Strategies at Inaugural ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium - February 22-25, 2017

Cancer immunotherapy has resulted in considerable excitement in the oncology healthcare community. Over the last five years or so, we have seen tremendous progress in the field of immuno-oncology. The ability to manipulate the immune system has resulted in remarkable tumor control and occasionally completely eradicated tumors. The interest from clinicians, researchers, bio-pharma and patients alike has driven tremendous advances in metastatic disease.

Oncology Strategies attended the inaugural ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium in Orlando Florida this week. Earlier stage disease, new targets, biomarkers, resistance and combination therapy were all areas of discussion at the symposium which focused on clinical and translational research and the implications for patient care.

With over 900 registrants, it is clear that the pursuit of harnessing the immune system to attack cancer is the hot topic. The increase in the number of bio-pharma companies entering this space is another sign of commitment to bringing new state-of-the-art advances to this rapidly evolving field. But this growing interest comes with increased competition for physician’s mind-space. It will be critical for companies working in this space to clarify strategies for choosing appropriate immunotherapeutic agents as well as managing related toxicities. Companies that provide clarity in how to incorporate immunotherapy, including checkpoint blockade, vaccine therapy and use of immunomodulatory antibodies into current treatment paradigms will be leaders in the field.